The Paulinian Prayer
God our loving Father, You called us to in this endeavor. This young priest – only 30
participate in your saving mission and to make
you known and loved throughout the world.
We thank You for our Paulinian identity that
inspires us to be like Christ and to walk in the
truth. Help us to stand firm in our daily
struggle and to live our Christocentric-Paschal
Spirituality. Forgive our failures to witness to
your compassionate love and to surrender to
Your holy will. Grant us the grace to grow in
Your love for the good of the Church and
service of neighbor and to remain faithful to
You through Your Son, Jesus Christ in the unity
of the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever.
Amen.
Mary, our Mother and Model, pray for us.
St. Paul, our Patron, pray for us.
Fr. Louis Chauvet and our First Sisters,
intercede for us.
May the love of Christ impel us, now and
forever. Amen.
The Paulinian Story
Part One: Beginnings
The Paulinian Story begins here in the
wheatfields of the region of Beauce, France.
The wheat granary of France, Beauce covers
more than a million hectares in five provinces
dedicated to agriculture.
Gold in the summer sun with ripening grain…
Field of Life but once, plain of Death. Where
armies in great battles met.
- Hundred Years War (1337-1453)
- St. Joan of Arc’s Liberation of New
Orleans (1429)
- Wars of Religion (1562-1598)
- Wars of Fronde (1648-1653)
The series of wars brought great misery to the
countrysides – poverty, sickness, ignorance
and the comcomittant evils of apathy, religious
indifference, lowering of moral standards.
Such was the situation in Levesville-la-
Chenard, a small village 35 miles southeast of
Chartres.
In 1694, Fr. Louis Chauvet was
assigned as parish priest of Levesville. The
village was poor, the people were poor. He
found the Church in ruins, the Presbytery
uninhabitable. From his own resources Fr.
Chauvet saw to the repairs of the Church and
the presbytery. But most especially, he
reached out in compassion to his parishioners
to respond to their misery, engaging everyone
years old – was filled with zeal for his people.
Fr. Louis Chauvet became many things to his
parishioners (counselor, priest, shepherd,
scholar, musician). His great concern was for
their spiritual welfare – but his charity
reached out to the whole person, and to all
without distinction.
He gave special attention to the needy,
the aged. He attended to the abandoned,
looking to their total well-being, giving of his
resources freely, generously. He struggled
against ignorance and the false teaching of
Quietism and Jansenism – exemplifying the
quest for the finer things in life. He shared his
vision of uplifting the level of life of the villagers
– through teaching the children, caring for the
sick, and ministering to the poor. Young girls
of the village became fired with his vision.
The first 3 volunteers
• Marie Micheau (17)
• Barbe Foucauld (19)
• Marie Anne de Tilly (31)
who assisted in their formation. They
became the first “Daughters of the School of
Levesville”
Le Berceau (The Cradele) became their first
home. Its basement (La Cave) became the first
classroom with Marie Micheau as first
teacher. Fr. Chauvet gave his Daughters a Rule
of Life. Christ is my Life! “They will strive to
imitate our Lord and to live His teaching.” (Draft
of a Rule) Christ’s love impelled them… Caritas,
Christi, Urget Nos!
The Daughters of Levesville lived in
piety, simplicity, humility, and work. Serving
with great compassion freely and gratuitously.
Having neither dowry nor income but earning
their living so as to be able to perform their
apostolic work as gratuitously as possible,
they combine austere mortification with the
hardest work. (ef. Draft of a Rule, Ch. 1)
Fr. Louis Chauvet wanted the children
to know how to read and write to enable them
to know more about Christian doctrine and to
practice their religion as they should. (A
scholar himself, Fr. Chauvet considered
scholarship a function of faith.)
With Religion and the 3Rs, the first
Sisters taught practical arts and crafts to equip
the young with productive skills that would
enable them to improve their living standards.
 The first school opened in 1700; a
second school opened in Chateauneuf-en-
Thymerais in 1707.
Marie Micheau, first recruit, first
superior, and first teacher died at the age of 19
on +15 November 1702. Fr. Chauver accorded
her the right to be buried in the Church, a
privilege that belonged only to the Lord-
Founders of the Church, priests, and persons
consecrated to God. Marie Ann de Tilly, co-
foundress +28 September 1703. Our first
Sisters were buried at the foot of the altar of
Virgin of Levesville.
In 1708, Fr. Louis Chauvet entrusted
his Daughters under the protection of the
Bishop of Chartres, who, having seen their
good work invited them to the Cathedral city.
Bishop Paul Godet des Marais gave them the
name Sisters of St. Paul and St. Paul, the
Apostle as their Patron. Chartres became the
Sisters’ new home! (their first house at St.
Maurice given by the Bishop) Having at first
settled in the district of St. Maurice in Chartres,
the Sisters were once called the Sisters of
Charity of St. Maurice. They were also
referred to as Les Sabotieres – wooded shoe
wearers. The wooded shoes became symbolic
of the simplicity and poverty of their lifestyle.
Fr. Claude Marechaux, a holy and
learned man, was appointed first ecclesiastical
superior for the Sisters. He wrote, in accord
with Fr. Chauvet, the Sisters’ Rule and the
Instructions on the Rule “How to Perform our
Actions Well.” Msgr. Charles de Truchis who
succeeded Fr. Marechaux was instrumental in
preserving the Rule and the Names of the first
Sisters. He let them write their names in the
community registry, Le Monument.
With the Virgin Mary as their Model,
and St. Paul, their Patron, the Sisters lived the
ideals of Regularity, Simplicity, Work
In no time, the Sisters of St. Paul
spread to whole Chartres diocese, and all over
France then to the French colonies and on to
other parts of the globe. 1727- French Guiana.
The First Mission.
Dark Night: 1789-1802
The French revolution which broke out in
1792 ordered the suppression of all religious
congregations and the confiscation of their
houses and property. The world will
remember loud and long the effects of the cry
of Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite! The Revolution
spelled the end of the monarchy and ushered
an era of unprecedented violence. The house
at St. Maurice was confiscated and Sisters
were dispersed – 44 in Chartres, 111 in other
town and villages. Others met worse fates –
massacre, guillotine, exile, imprisonment.
Refusing to attend the funeral mass of
Mirabeau, a leader of the Revolution, Mother
Josseaume, Superior General, was
incarcerated with 3 Sisters and 212 others at
Rambouillet. They were eventually released in
1794. But the Sisters were gone, their houses
gone. The community appeared to be dead!
Reconstitution. The Sisters in Cayenne,
hardly aware of what was happening in the
homefront, requested for replacements. The
Minister of the Navy, Decres, who greatly
appreciated the charity and compassion of the
Sisters, having once been saved from death by
the Sisters who ministered to him, sent word
to France. He was willing to shoulder all
expenses, if only the Sisters would come. The
government that dispersed them now sought
to gather the Sisters together. Mother
Josseaume was found. A search was made for
the other Sisters. Napoleon Bonaparte,
Premier Consul, highest authority at that
time, signed the Decree of Reconstitution of
the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, 10 December
1802. The Sisters were given the former
Dominican convent at Rue St. Jacques which
today serves as the Mother House of the
Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.
At home once more, the Sisters picked
up their life and continued their work under
the shadow of the great Cathedral of
Chartres. They could again pray before the
altar of Notre Dame of Chartres. Le Baron de
Laitre expressed the government’s
appreciation for the Sisters. From then,
Paulinian mission flourished in new and
different ways both in France and in other
parts of the world. By 1834, there were 400
Sisters in 67 SPC houses in France, in schools,
hospitals, dispensaries, and orphanages.
There were 45 Sisters in the hospitals and
schools of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and
Cayenne.
 To Asia 6. The French revolution, dispersal,
Monsignor Augustin Forcade, dissolution.
assigned as Apostolic Vicar of Japan and 7. The secularization movement,
Apostolic Prefect of HongKong requested for expulsion, from schools and hospitals
Sisters of St. Paul to help him in HongKong. of France and its territories.
4 were sent
Undaunted, the Sisters remain steadfast and
Sr. Alphonsine, his own sister
joyful – anchored in the Lord, in Christ, Lord of
Sr. Gabrielle Joubin
History!
Sr. Auguste Galloin
And Sr. Louis Morse Today, some 5000 Sisters of St. Paul de
They opened the first mission Asia. Chartres serve in 34 countries in 6 continents
HongKong (1848) of the world.
Vietnam (1860)
Generalate in Rome, Italia. The Congregation’s
Japan (1878)
General Government moved here from France
Korea (1888)
in 1932. The Generalate has since become an
Thailand (1898)
International Center for Theological Studies
Laos (1904)
Philippines (Dumaguete) 1904 and Spiritual Renewal for St. Paul Sisters from
all over the world and where general affairs of
However, the anti-clericalism and the Congregation are decided upon.
secularization in France had far reaching
consequences. Our Sisters had to leave 105
public schools between 1879 and 1903. With
the hope of helping safeguard the Faith of the
children, albeit in a limited manner, 314
Sisters made the painful decision to be
secularized so that they could continue to
teach in public schools. Denied and refused in
their own country – later even in the French
occupied territories – the Sisters looked more
and more to the East! They became available
for the Asian missions, especially to the
Philippines.

The loss of Europe was Asia’s gain.

Some 80% of the total number of Sisters in the
Congregation today are Asians.

Integral to the Sisters’ Life and Mission was the

constant sharing in the Paschal Mystery of
Christ.
1. The poverty and hard work of their
early beginnings.
2. The early death of the founders.
3. The unjust harassment of Marguerite
David who claimed part of the
community property after Marie
Anne’s death.
4. Lawsuits against them by the
merchants of Chartres and who put
obstacles to their recognition as a
Congregation.
5. The difficulties, deprivations, and
deaths in the first mission.
The Paulinian Story
Part Two: The Philippines
Philippine Independence was declared on
June 12, 1898. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo became
President of the First Philippine Republic.
However, the victory of the revolution led to
the departure of the Spanish missionaries and
religious.
Spain ceded the Philippines to the United
States. The United States came in as the New
Colonizers. New battles were fought! These
cost the lives of Gregorio del Pilar, Antonio
Luna, Miguel Malvar and countless other
Filipino patriots.
The Americans sought to establish a strong
foothold in the Philippines. With their military
entry came a new system of education and
Protestantism.
Protestantism spread through the American
teachers and schools. Embracing
Protestantism became a condition for free
admission in schools and in some cases, free
treatment in hospitals.
The Aglipayan Movement. Fr. Gregorio
Aglipay’s nationalist efforts against Spanish
oppression resulted in his separation from the
Catholic Church – and the founding of the
Philippine Independent Church. The
dangers to the Catholic Faith of the Filipinos
was real!
The Coming of the SPC Sisters
Bishop Frederick Rooker, one of the first
four American Bishops assigned to the
Philippines. Sought means to preserve,
nurture, and strengthen the Catholic Faith in
his diocese – Jaro – which comprised 8
provinces including Dumaguete.
As the story goes, Bishop Rooker, on a stop-
over in HongKong en route to the U.S., saw a
Sister of St. Paul. He asked how he could invite
the Sisters to his diocese. The Sister directed
him to write the Principal Superior who was
then residing in Saigon. Mo. Candide Cousin,
Principal Superior in Asia, 1845-1921.
Sailing to Philippine Shores. Saigon – October
20, 1904. 7 Sisters sail aboard the “Minas de
Batan.”
Manila – October 25, 1904- Archbishop
Jeremiah J. Harty welcomed the Sisters who,
next day set sail for Cebu aboard the
“Pleguezuelo.”
Cebu - October 28, 1904 – Bishop Thomas A.
Hendrick received the Sisters and assured
them of his support as they transferred to yet
another boat!
October 29, 1904 – Arrival in Dumaguete. A
moment of great joy for the whole town! The
Sisters were carried to the shores. Welcomed
by a cheering crowd, ringing bells, brass bands
playing. Brought to the Church and their new
home. First: Catechism – later a school – St.
Paul Academy.
The Pioneers to the Philippines
• Mother Marthe de St. Paul Legendre
– French, Superior
• Sr. Marie Louise du Sacre Coeur
Nivon – French
• Sr. Anna de la Croix Anne – French
• Sr. Marie Josephine Rappeport –
American
• Sr. Charles Aho – Chinese
• Sr. Catherine de Genes Gutteres –
Portuguese
• Sr. Ange Marie Bannier – French
(Author: “Shipboard Diary” – account of their Missionary
Journey and arrival in Dumaguete)
After Dumaguete, one foundation
followed another… 1905 – Vigan. Rosary
College – “Colegio de las Ninas” left by the
Dominicans – now St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur.
1905 – Manila, Intramuros. 8 French
missionaries came to found St. Paul Hospital,
at the request of the Archbishop Jeremiah
Harty of Manila to care for the lepers (and
their children) – exiled to this island (1906 -
Culion). Mo. Damien Lelievre worked here for
48 years.
1907 – Tuguegarao – Colegio de San
Pablo then Sacred Heart of Jesus Institution
later St. Paul College of Tuguegarao. Now St.
Paul University Philippines lead university in
the St. Paul schools system.
Iloilo 1911 – first a hospital. Then a
school of nursing in 1946. Now, St. Paul
University Iloilo.
 1911: Manila. First – St. Paul Novitiate
then St. Paul’s Institution in 1912 later St. Paul
College of Manila - now St. Paul University
Manila.
Our schools, through the decades, have • Advocacy work for indigenous people
produced Paulinians embodying the best of • Community organization
Filipino Paulinian traditions. • Leadership training
• Solidarity for political reform
Paulinians seeking knowledge, pursuing
science, art and culture, promoting and Today, there are 67 Filipina missionaries in 14
countries.
enhancing life, celebrating community, 1. Peru
becoming competent, responsible citizens at 2. Columbia
the service of society and of the Church. 3. Indonesia
4. East Timor
5. France
6. Italy
7. Bethlehem
8. Africa
9. Brazil
10. England
11. Ireland
12. United States
Perhaps the “crown” on SPC
Philippines’ missionary efforts is the
mission in Indonesia which the Philippines
initiated in 1967. Where there are now 9
houses (with 2 in East Timor) and 53
Indonesian Sisters.

SPC Contributions to the Church

Catechists, educators, social workers,
priests, bishops, religious vocations,
missionaries, service to the Vatican,
managing church programs, work among
migrant workers, training of catechists
and campus ministers, women
empowerment.

SPC Contributions to the Society.

Paulinians are un all walks of life – as
teachers, doctors, nurses, artists, writers,
Forming the Spirit. Developing competencies. media practitioners, engineers, lawyers,
Reaching out to the undeserved and the accountants, managers, government and
underprivileged. Increasing access to civic leaders. Loving and serving with the
Paulinian education. Empowering others as heart of Christ!
they themselves gave been empowered. Our
hospitals have become leaders and vanguards
in advanced health care. Promoting healing for
both body and spirit. Reaching out to bring
health care to the grass roots.

Our Pastoral Ministry focuses on these areas of

concern
• Evangelization and catechetics
• Family apostolate
• Home visitation
• Women empowerment
• Voter education
• Pastoral guidance
• Self-help and sustainability
from Death – to New Life! Guided by leaders
with vision and compassion – we journey
towards the New Heavens and the New Earth.
Challenged to live and model the values of St.
Paul and our Founders.

I am with you always – until the end of the

ages! – Mt. 28:20

The end… and the Beginning…